Valeriana carnosa Sm

Abstract

Valeriana carnosa Sm. stands out as one of the key elements of the indigenouspharmacopoeia used in the extreme south of the American Continent. Itsrhizomes and roots have been used since ancestral times in hepatic, respiratory,circulatory, urinary, digestive and anti-inflammatory remedies. They have also beenused as painkillers, sedatives and for the treatment of cultural syndromes particularto Latin-American medicine such as the "susto" and the "evil eye". The breadth ofits reputed uses has led to its being known as "the plant that cures the sevenillnesses". The crude drug is prepared from the roots and rhizomes, principally as a decoction. Several studies indicate that the principal active ingredients are valepotriates,lignans, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and essential oils. Research carried outon V. carnosa reveals the presence of active ingredients similar to those of V. officinalis,a species found in many pharmacopoeias which is used as a sedative and sleepinducer. However, little conclusive evidence of efficacy can be provided for theremaining local uses. The key problem of various studies has been their emphasison very few compounds, rather than traditional preparations. Much more research isrequired to evaluate the actual efficacy of preparations